Universal+Design+for+Learning

Page Created by Michelle Clark

Universal Design for Learning or UDL is a way to help the curriculum development be appropriate for all individuals and allow equal opportunities to learn. We all learn in different ways whether it be through listening to a lecture, reading a book or actually doing a project. Within UDL there are three principles to remember: 1. Make sure that the information and content is represented in multiple ways; e.g. audio, visual, etc. 2. Allow for multiple ways for the student to show comprehension of the material and content; e.g. paper, skit, song, poster, etc. 3. Use multiple means of engagement, find ways to interest more students and to motivate them to want to learn; e.g. youtube, music, etc.
 * Definition:**

Education has made many changes in the way that classrooms are run and even who is allowed within the general education classroom. With students ranging from exceptional to Autistic all within one classroom, we have to find a way to reach all students. UDL has three principles that allow us to make sure that we are reaching all students to the best of our ability. With the first principle of UDL we as educators are presenting the information in multiple ways. Possibly instead of just giving a lecture about information we could also show pictures or written words by using a power point slideshow or having notes already made on the board showing the same thing that you are saying. Another way is to allow the students more than just one way to show that they have learned the information. Don't just assign a 3 page paper, give students an option for how they can show you their comprehension, such as a glogster or a prezi presentation, or even doing a skit and recording it. As long as it is appropriate to the information it is in the students best interest to show you what they are comfortable with. Last we need to make sure that we find multiple ways to be able to spark interest and motivate the students to be able to learn the material. With UDL, technology is a great way to spark interest and motivate our students today as this is something that they know and enjoy. By using youtube or other social media networks like that to start a topic, the interest in that topic can be increased than by starting the lesson off with a picture in the textbook. Imagine you are teaching volcanoes in your science class, what do you think your students would rather, opening their textbook to pg. 58 and looking at a picture or having a youtube video that shows Mt. St. Helen erupting in the 80's? I know what I would rather and I can take a pretty good guess of what would get my students more interested to want to learn more about volcanoes. If all teachers use all three principles of Universal Design for Learning not only will students stay more on task, but also the comprehension of what the students have learned will increase as well as the motivation and interest amongst the students will go up. Plus even though you may be thinking that these practices are meant for your lower ranking students, you will be amazed at how many of your average students will start to excel as well.
 * Best Practices for an Educator:**

1. The CAST website is the home base of Universal Design for Learning. They are an educational research organization that works towards finding new ways to reach all individuals and their learning needs through Universal Design for Learning. 2. On the ASHA site, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, it helps explain a scenario of a speech-language pathologist who uses UDL and why it is important and needed in the education setting. Not only does it help the students in special education who have more barriers in education, but it also can promote learning for all students in multiple ways. It goes into details of what UDL is, how it can be used, the guidelines for using UDL and so much more. 3. The National Center On Universal Design for Learning site gives a great explanation on the guidelines of Universal Design for Learning. It covers all three of the principles that are most important in helping to make UDL a success in helping to make sure that all students have an equal opportunity to learn in the classroom.
 * Three Annotated Web Links:**